Parents tell of leaving boy

A Maryland couple whose 3-year-old son was found alone at a California mall told friends they meant to abandon him, a Washington County Sheriff's investigator said yesterday.

Investigator Rick Ziolkowski said Lisa and Wolfgang Von Nester Sr. were seen last weekend at a party in the Hagerstown area and told friends that they were in California with their son, Wolfgang Von Nester Jr.

"They said their intention was to leave the child out there -- abandon the child in the mall," Mr. Ziolkowski said.

The boy was found dirty and clad in overalls and a T-shirt June 2 in San Bernardino County, Calif.

He was placed in a foster home.

San Bernardino police said they were reviewing possible charges.

Marjorie Savage of Boonsboro, Mrs. Von Nester's mother, is raising her daughter's four older children and said she wants custody of Wolfgang.